Master P Announced as Owner of Mixed Gender Pro Basketball League In His Hometown

He's also the league's president.

Sometimes the world hits you with something you never could have predicted in a million years. The golden-tank-owning man behind “Make Em Say Ugh” trying to take a few steps forward for gender equality in professional sports is one of those things. Master P has been unveiled as the president of the Global Mixed Gender Basketball League and shared that he’s starting his own co-ed team in his hometown of New Orleans.

The New Orleans Gators will be Percy Miller’s offshoot of the first professional basketball league to allow players of both sexes to play at the same time. He announced the new team on his Instagram.

“Many business people and celebrities have their eyes on the new professional basketball franchise in New Orleans. But today, Percy Miller was able to close the deal with the GMGB organization,” the press release/IG caption read. “Mr. Miller was born and raised in New Orleans and basketball has been a passion of his since childhood. Owning the New Orleans Gators is a great fit for him and the City, bringing family entertainment and basketball together in one arena is exciting for the community. Putting professional men and women athletes on the basketball court at one time is unique. And giving women equal pay as the men will even the playing field in the Global Mixed Gender Basketball
League.”

Credit: Robin Marchant/Getty Images

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A Step Forward

Credit: Bennett Raglin/Getty Images

The league describes itself as a step forward for gender equity, with all players making the same rate to play in the league. “It features both men and women, playing on the same team, with male and female coaches, managers and staff,” the league site explains. “The team is paid on equal levels; no more will a woman make less than a man for performing the same job.”

In addition to that, the teams each provide a scholarship for one male and one female local high-school graduate. The league currently has three teams: the Gators, the Atlanta Heirs and the Washington (D.C.) Fusion. However, as is clear from this announcement, the league is looking to expand.

Miller is far from the only former hip-hop star to be involved in the league. Tiny Harris — whose own girl group Xscape challenged traditional ideas of femininity in the ‘90s — is the owner of the Atlanta outfit.

While it seems like the league is still very much in development, Miller seems to want the games to be family-friendly events and for the teams to have deep ties to the community in which they are located. While there are only three teams named on the GMGB website, it’s clear they are searching for more communities to become involved in.

It’s unclear when the league will start playing or how many teams will be necessary before they can function as a true league. However, Miller and the rest of the outfit appear optimistic.

What do you think of Master P’s new business venture? Does anyone remember the last time he tried to get involved in sports? Will this go as poorly as No Limit Sports, the failed agency? Is mixed-gender basketball possible or advisable? Let us know in the comments and be sure to SHARE this article.